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Culture Seeds

This is a two-year rolling programme, so you can apply at any time until March 2020 (for projects that finish by May 2020)for funding between £1,000-£5,000.

The new grants will be used to support community-led cultural projects in every London borough.

Culture Seeds will support not-for-profit, small or informal organisations and groups as well as individuals as it is often harder for them to access funding.

Culture Seeds is part of the Mayor of London’s Strategy for Culture, Culture for all Londoners. It's part of the Mayor’s ambition to put culture at the heart of local communities, where it belongs.

#mylocalculture

What are the grants for?

The Mayor wants to see more local arts and culture activities created and put on by local people in London. That’s why Culture Seeds is aimed firmly at grassroots organisations.

The grants are for funding arts, culture and heritage projects and activities. This includes:

visual and performing arts (like music, dance and theatre)

filmmaking and film screenings

heritage projects

digital art

cultural events/festivals

literature, spoken word, reading groups

craft and making activities

choirs/singing groups

creative writing

Projects must have local people at their heart. We want projects that offer shared creative experiences to bring communities together. We will prioritise projects that support people on lower incomes, and connect communities that lack access to cultural resources and funding.

The programme will also offer successful applicants help with:

marketing and monitoring your project

applying for future funding

recruiting and working with volunteers

Who can apply?

individual Londoners

not-for-profit organisations with an annual turnover of less than £50,000

You don’t have to be a formally constituted group. However, you should have a bank account with two signatories or nominate an organisation who can accept the funds on your behalf.

You must also provide two referees who can vouch for your work in your local community.

How much can I apply for?

You can apply for anything between £1,000-£5,000.

Africa in London

Africa in London, a new programme supported by the Mayor of London and the British Council, puts African cultural events in London, firmly on the map.

To continue the growth of African creativity in London, an additional £20,000 has been invested in Culture Seeds to be awarded to community-led creative projects with an African focus.

To be considered for Culture Seeds: Africa in London funding, your application must:

Apply now

Culture Seeds is a two-year rolling programme. There are no deadlines and you can apply at any time. Applications are open until March 2020 for projects that end by May 2020. Please do not rush your application and read the Guidance Notes thoroughly to give yourself the best chance of being funded.